Fall Foliage Road Trip Checklist

22 items · Travel · Easy difficulty · 2 hours

Plan a leaf-peeping drive around peak color: backup areas at different elevations, early bookings, offline maps, layers and getting back before dark.

• Choose a region plus two backup areas at different elevations

  If the high country has already dropped its leaves, a lower valley nearby may still be at peak.

• Check the state foliage report or color map for each area

  Many state tourism offices and parks post color updates every week through the season.

• Pick weekday dates if you can

  Overlooks and scenic routes are at their busiest on October weekends, and busiest of all on the long weekend around the second Monday in October.

• Book lodging as soon as your dates are set

  Inns and cabins near famous foliage drives can sell out for peak weekends.

• Read the cancellation policy before you pay

  Peak can arrive a week or more earlier or later than usual, so a flexible booking is worth a little extra.

• Look up park entry fees, timed reservations and parking passes

  Some popular parks and scenic drives need them on busy days.

• Check that no mountain road or park drive on your route has closed for the season

  Some high roads close in fall or after the first snow.

• Map the route and mark where the gas stations are

  Rural stretches can run a long way between stations. Fill up whenever you drop to half a tank.

• Download offline maps for the whole area

  Phone signal drops out in many mountain valleys and state forests.

• Check tire pressure, wiper fluid and lights
• Check the forecast the night before each driving day

  Heavy rain and strong wind can strip turned leaves off the trees in a day.

• Pack layers for a cold start and a warm afternoon

  A summit or overlook can be near freezing at sunrise and much warmer by lunch.

• Bring rain gear and shoes that can handle a muddy trail
• Pack water, snacks and a printed map as a backup
• Carry some cash for farm stands and small-town shops
• Charge the camera and phone, and pack a car charger
• Plan photo stops for early morning and late afternoon

  Low sun from the side lights the leaves up. Overcast days work well too, since soft light keeps reds and yellows from washing out.

• Park fully off the road at pullouts, never in a travel lane

  Drivers on scenic routes are watching the trees and may not see a car stopped around a bend.

• Ask before you walk into orchards, fields or private land for a photo
• Tell someone your plan if you leave the car for a hike
• Start back early enough to finish the drive in daylight
• Slow down and watch the road edges for deer at dawn and dusk

  If one crosses, expect another to follow it.

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